Towing block



May 13, 1930. R. F. sYMoNDs 1,758,722

TowING LOGK Filed March 14, 1928 Patented May 13, 1930 'E' OFFEQE,

RALPH IE'. SYMONDS, OF MARBLEHEAD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO NEW ENG- LAND TRAWLER EQUIPMENT CO., 0F EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS TOWING BLOCK Application inea March 14, 192s. seriai No. 261,514.

This invention relates to towing blocks or hook-up blocks used as a part of trawling gear. In setting a trawl for towing, it is desired to bring the two cables from theends of the trawl net together at the stern of the vessel, holding them together at this point and allowing them to spread in running back to the trawl doors, which are relied upon to separate the ends of the trawl net.

The trawl cables pass outboard from gallows frames located some distance apart on the same side of the vessel. After the trawl has been put overboard and the cables paid out, it is the practice to swing the vessel so as to bring the two cables close to the stern, hauling the forward cable to the vessel by means of a messenger hook and tackle. The hook-up block is then opened, slipped over both cables and closed upon them. The towing block is suspended from the vessel by six or eight feet of chain and after the cables have been secured in the block, the vessel may be put upon her course and the tra-wling begun.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of towing block which shall meet the exacting requirements above outlined in respect to strength and durability and be convenient and reliable in operation. It is important that the towing block should be of such construction that it may be opened quickly to its full capacity, so that advantage may be taken of the instant when the towing cables are brought together. It is also important that when once closed upon the cables, the towing block may be relied upon to remain closed and also that it may be easily opened and disengaged from the cables when the trawl is hauled and while subjected to the strain of the trawl. In this operation, the cables are drawn through the towing block, subjecting it to very severe conditions of wear. In accordance with an important feature of the invention, this is reduced to a minimum by forming one member of the towing block as a bar unsymmetrically curved to throw the cable toward one end thereof and preferably this end of the bar is supported by an integral portion of the towing block, whereas the other end of the bar is supported by a link having a novel form of interlocking connection with the body of the block.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which i Fig. 1 is a `view in perspective of the block in open condition, showing also the locking pin; and

Fig. 2is a view of the block in side elevation, in closed condition.

The body of the block comprises a top plate 10, extended at one end'to form a reduced perforated tongue 12 and merging at the other end into an integral angularly-extending side member 14. In the top plate is mounted a swivel eye 16, which constitutes provision for suspending the block. Hinged to the lower end of the side member 14 is a curved bar 18. In the closed block, this bar is oppositely disposed with respect to the top plate 10 and sustains the drag of the towing cables. At its other end, the bar 18 ishinged to a link 20, which will be presently described more in detail.

As herein shown, the curved bar 18 is provided at both ends with a pair of spaced ears. Those at the left end of the bar, as seen in F ig. 2, receive between them a tongue 22, formed in the lower end of the side member 14, and a bolt 24, extending through the ears of the bar 18 and thetongue 22, constitutes the pintle of the hinged connection. The ears at the right end of the bar 18 receive between them a tongue 26, formed in the lower end of the link 20, and a bolt 28 extending through them Vconstitutes the pintle of this second hinged connection.

The bar 18 is curved both longitudinally and transversely, transversely to permit the cable to draw smoothly over it and longitudinally so that it has a low concave portion adjacent to its left end which is supported by the integral side member 14. This, as already intimated, throws the cables toward the end Vof the bar, having permanent connection to the body 015th@ @Wing block which (ifi is, of course, the condition most favorable for distribution of strain in the block and is also beneficial because it tends to relieve the articulated members of the block from strain and facilitates opening of the block when this is necessary.

The link 20, which is connected to the right end of the bar 18, is shorter than the integral side member 14 so that the bar 18 is unsymmetrically suspended and, on this account, a further tendency imparted to the cables to shift them toward the other end of the bar.

At its outer end, the link 2O is provided with a transverse groove 30 of sutlicient width to receive the end of the top plate l() and forming a shoulder 32 which overlies the top plate across its whole width, thus making an interlocking connection of great strength for taking the strain of the cables. The end of the link 2O is also provided with a slot 34 to receive the tongue l2, which thus passes entirely through the link when the towing block is closed. The tongue 12 also is provided with a slot 36 for a taper pin 40. .It will be understood that when the towing block is closed and the interlocking connection established between the link 2O and the top plate lO, these parts may be positively locked in position by driving the taper pin into the slot 36 of the tongue l2 which, as shown in Fig. 2, is located outside the end of the link 20.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided a towing block of graceful and pleasing appearance and of extreme strength and durability. It is also particularly convenient in operation on account of the fact that it may be opened quickly and completely for engaging or disengaging the towing cables and that it may as readily be closed and reliably locked in closed condition. Moreover, wear in the block is reduced to a minnium by the novel construction of the bar 18 and by the characteristic interlocking connection formed between the link 2O and the top plate 10.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A towing block comprising a top plate with provision for suspension, an oppositely disposed curved bar having a low point adjacent to one end, a side member integral with said top plate pivotally supporting the end of the bar having the low point, and an articulated side member supporting the other end of said bar.

2. A towing block comprising a top plate with provision for suspension, an oppositely disposed bar curved longitudinally and unsymmetrically and having a. concave port-ion adjacent one end, a side member integral lwith said top plate and hinged to the end of the bar having the concave portion, and an articulated side member connecting said top plate to the other en'd of said bar.

3. A towing block comprising a top plate with provision for suspension and being eX- tended at one end to form a reduced tongue, an integral side member extending angularly from the other end of said plate, a curved bar hinged at one end to said integral side member and shaped "to throw a cable toward its end adjacent thereto, and a link hinged to the other end of the bar and perforated to receive the reduced tongue of the top plate in making an interlockingl connection therewith.

RALPH F. SYMONDS. 

